A Pivotal Moment

Fr. Matthew and St. Isidore youth traveled to Rome last summer to immerse themselves in holy places, become friends with the saints, and grow deeper in faith alongside a million young Catholics from around the world.

My confirmation saint is St. John Paul II. Even though he passed away when I was little, I had a curious interest in him for most of my childhood. My fifth grade teacher was surprised when I came to school reading a biography on JP2. It was only after I was confirmed that I realized my birthday falls on his feast day. Despite those connections, I had never thought to ask for his intercession until we started preparing for this pilgrimage.

When we visited Rome, I was excited to learn that St. John Paul II’s tomb was right inside St. Peter’s Basilica. With the crowds, it was a maze to find. I stood in an extremely long line to exit and re-enter back through the Holy Doors for the opportunity to spend time at his tomb. There, I asked for his intercession. It was a surreal experience, being physically close to my confirmation saint. Here laid this incredible man, someone who I had admired for so many years, and yet, this was the first time I had thought to pray to him.

Afterwards, I went to Adoration in one of the side chapels and stayed there for a long time, praying to follow JP2’s example of living a courageous life. I was there for so long that when I came out, I checked the time and realized it was half an hour past when we were supposed to meet the group! People were frantically looking for me. Praying at St. John Paul II’s tomb was a pivotal moment for me. Ever since then, I’ve been regularly asking for his help in exhibiting the same type of courage that he had.

I’ve started to do things differently now that I’m back home. When I go on walks at work, instead of thinking about fantasy football, I pray the rosary. I started talking about Christianity with my non-Christian friends. I cut out unhealthy relationships. I switched jobs.

The pilgrimage completely shifted my outlook. I’m committed to adjusting my whole life to put Jesus truly at the center, to be open to whatever He wants me to do, and to allow Him to work in my life so that I can become the man He wants me to be.

I’m committed to adjusting my whole life to put Jesus truly at the center.

—Ryan, recent college graduate